Rotor numerical and alphabetical toy games



y 1959 R. E. WAGNER 2,888,265

ROTOR NUMERICAL AND ALPHABETICAL TOY GAMES Filed March 16, 1956 i 5 f T Mia f f 5 i i i, 4

FIG.3

INVENTOR.'

ROBERT E. WAGNER ATTCDRNEYS.

United States Patent ROTOR NUlVIERICAL AND ALPHABETICAL TOY GAMES Robert E. Wagner, Chicago, Ill.

Application March 16, 1956,.Serial No. 571,965

4 Claims. (Cl. 273-142) My invention relates to sundry game devices, and more particularly to games in the toy class and: which may be carried in the pocket. One object of the invention is to provide a game of this characterwhich employs a. rotor spun by a trigger mechanism to simulate a roulette wheel in action and eflEect.

A further object is to provide a game of this character which induces a fast rotor spinning motion with little effort.

An additional object is to design the game inthe form of a compact box or case which may be handled with facility and carried in the pocket.

Another object is to construct the game along lines of neatness and compactness, and with a minimum number of parts.

With the above objects in view, a better understanding of the invention may be had by reference to the accompanying drawing, in which:

Fig. 1 is a front elevation of the game;

Fig. 2 is a top plan view;

Fig. 3 is a medial section revealing the interior of the game as normally constituted;

Fig. 4 is in part a view similar to Fig. 3, showing parts in changed position;

Fig. 5 is a section on the line -55- of Fig. 3;

Fig. 6 is a perspective view of a trigger mechanism;

Fig. 7 is a vertical section of such mechanism; and

Fig. 8 is a side view of the same.

In accordance with the foregoing, specific reference to the drawing indicates the frontal section of the game case at 15, and the rear section at 16. These sections are formed with rims 17 whch are preferably joined by overlapping portions 19, as shown in Fig. 5, and made tight either by pressing or with the use ofa sealing agent.

The case sections and 16 are made with an opening 21 in one top corner for the placement of a lever 22. The inner portion 23 of this lever is pivoted on a crosspin 25 to the case; while the outer portion is rounded as indicated at 26 for the downward application of a finger to depress the lever.

On the inside of the case a rotor 30 is journaled on a cross-pin 31 lodged in the sections 15 and 16, the rotor being free to spin; and the edge of the rotor is formed with a series of pointed teeth 32 defining obtuse notches 33. The rotor is preferably of solid material; and it is marked on the frontal face with a circular series of numbers progressing from 0 to 12, as indicated at 35, while the rear side bears a similar series of letter combinations, as indicated at 36. The sections 15 and 16 of the case are formed with rectangular openings 40 at points designed to reveal one of the numbers or letter series, as shown in Figs. 1 and 3.

It is intended that down-pressure on the lever 22 set the rotor 30 in rapid spinning motion. A mechanism for this purpose originates with a plunger 42 located below the outer portion of the lever 22 and formed with a head 43 normally positioned directly underneath such portion. The plunger passes through. a shelf 45 carried by the rear section 16; and a compression spring 47 coiled around the plunger in the space between the head 23 and the shelf 45 normally maintains the head outer end of the base 57 is extended initially, as indicated by dotted lines in Fig. 7, but the extension is foldedv inwardly with pressure upon the corresponding end of the trigger 58, as shown at 59, so that the trigger is secured to the angle member 54 in this manner.

The inner end portion of the angle member 54 is pivoted to the case on a cross-pin 61, while the trigger 58 extends inwardly over another cross-pin 63, terminating in the nearest notch 33 of the rotor 30.

The partsof the game are located normally in the positions shown in Fig. 3. When it is intended to spin the rotor 30, down-pressure on the lever 22 rocks the angle member 54 in a clockwise direction, such as to the position indicated in Fig. 4, the spring 47 resisting the pressure of the lever during this action. The rocking movement of the angle member has a tendency to also rock-the trigger 58 on the pin 61 in the same direction as the angle member, but the rotor will resist the rocking tendency of the trigger because the latter meets the rotor at a point which is before a dead center line connecting the shaft 31 and the pin 61. Therefore, down-pressure of the angle member 54 on the trigger operates to flex the same as indicated by full lines in Fig. 4. The flexing action will increase in tension until the trigger passes the dead center line previously referred to and snaps out of the rotor notch to the position indicated by dotted lines in Fig. 4. The snapping action of the trigger is so forceful that it imparts a rapid spinning motion to the rotor 30 in the direction indicated by the curved arrow in Fig. 3; and the numerical figure or letter legend visible through the openings 40 determines the point where the rotor stops, in the manner of a roulette wheel.

It will now be apparent that the novel game has a unique trigger mechanism which translates simple pressure of the lever 22 on the plunger 42 into a tension which builds up in the trigger to such an extent that the departure of the trigger from the rotor 30 induces a sudden and very rapid rotation of the same. Further, the arrangement of the lever 22, plunger 42 and angle member 54 is such as to coordinate the convenient operation of the lever with the most efficient setting of the spring blade 58. Thus, the lever is pivoted toward the middle of the case 15, so that it may be situated handily in the top open corner thereof for finger pressure. The plunger assembly is close to the corresponding end wall of the case; and the angle member 54 is therefore located at a point where it allows for a short push-actuated portion of the blade 58 relative to a long working portion thereof, the length of this portion permitting the blade to undergo a wide flexing action before it snaps the rotor into rotation. This action thus induces the very rapid spinning of the rotor. It will also be appreciated that the mechanism in the game case is almost entirely concealed, the lever 22 being the only part which is exposed. Thus, no tampering or interference with the internal mechanism is possible. Further, the lever 22 is rounded, and the other corners of the case are rounded also, in order that the game may not extend with projections when held in the hand or put in the pocket. Finally, the parts entering into the game are of a simple and sturdy nature, so that the game may be played for long periods without the need of attention or repair.

While I have described the invention along specific lines, various minor changes 01 refinements may be made therein without departing from its principle, and I reserve the right to employ all such changes and refinements as may come within the scope and spirit of the appended claims.

I claim:

1. A game comprising a case, a rotor journaled in the same and bearing game indications, the case being formed with an opening to reveal one such indication, a lever carried by the case, and means actuated by the lever to spin the rotor whereby to reveal the indication opposite said opening when the rotor stops, said means comprising a plunger operated by the lever, a member connecting with the plunger and pivoted in the case, the rotor having a series of peripheral teeth defining notches, and a spring-blade trigger carried by said member and eifective to impel the rotor when the member is rocked by the action of the lever, said trigger being pivoted at a point between the member and the rotor on a cross-pin mounted between the side walls of the case and extending into the nearest notch of the rotor, said cross-pin being located before a line connecting the pivot of the member and the center of the rocker, whereby to cause the rotor to resist the action of the trigger primarily and spin with a snapping motion when the trigger is forced to flex before releasing the rotor.

2. The structure of claim 1, said member being of angle form to receive the plunger at one end and the pivot at the other end, said member having a base to receive the outer end of the trigger, and the base having an extension folded back on such outer end for the retention of the same.

3. The structure of claim 1, and said member being of angle form to receive the plunger at one end and the pivot at the other end, said member being channeled to receive the trigger between its sides.

4. A game comprising a case, a rotor journaled in the same and bearing game indications, the case being formed with an opening in the central region to reveal one such indication, a lever carried by the case, the latter having a second opening at one end, said lever being disposed with its outer portion in said opening and pivoted with its inner end between the side walls of the case, a plunger operated by the lever, an angle member near such end and connecting with the plunger, such angle member being pivoted at its angle in the case and the rotor having a series of peripheral teeth defining notches, and a spring-blade trigger with a short portion carried by said angle member and a longer portion engaging a notch of the rotor, said longer portion being adapted to flex, snapping the rotor into spinning rotation when the member is rocked by the action of the lever.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 957,254 Proctor May 10, 1910 1,060,998 Moss May 6, 1913 1,188,315 Pickl June 20, 1916 1,430,062 De Voe Sept. 26, 1922 FOREIGN PATENTS 854,764 Germany Sept. 4, 1952 

